I have rarely used paddles, given a history of minor but persistent shoulder problems. I’ve started using them again - on a very conservative limited basis. Here’s what happens when I use them (green size L - I may go down to much smaller ones).
I only use a loose middle finger loop. No problem keeping them on. - I don’t think I swim much faster. My pull is definitely slower.
One-arm drill is really hard to balance.
I seems to rise/fall in the water more. Could be from the slower pull, meaning more glide time. Could also be because I am pushing down first rather than catching and pulling. If I wait longer to make sure my forearm is approaching 45 degrees, then my pull feels really short.
My pull seems shallower. I can’t tell whether it’s from elbow drop. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I dropped some/more easily because the pull is so much harder to do.
I know nothing about swimming, in fact I suck at it, but how could you not swim faster with paddles? I could see getting tired quicker but if you wanted to swim faster you aught to be able to, no? I rarely use paddles, mostly for shoulder reasons as well, but I know I swim ALOT faster with them.
I don’t look at the clock all that much, with or without paddles. I’m maybe a couple seconds faster per 100y. It’s more awkward, and with a slower pull. I also find it tougher to get good rotation.
Given the time you said you are at - 37 min. 1.2 - maybe your stroke is not perfected enough to use paddles, especially frickin’ large ones.
I haven’t kept up with all your posts, but from what I remember you seem to be fairly successful in your career, why not just hire a swim coach and get this crap right once and for all instead of asking questions on a forum that really require someone to actually see you swim?
Me, and I suspect a large part of our audience, wish that you just went out and FUCKING SWIM!!!
Dude (and Canadafan), I HAVE and I DO. You think I just cruise on over to the tank once in awhile and dunk my fuckin’ toes? I swim pretty much up to my combined current highway traffic tolerance and shoulder health (e.g., as often as I reasonably can, and then HARD when I’m there).
JasonD… They are hard to find. Consistent review by one high-level coach is almost impossible to find (basic instruction is easier) because no one can make enough of a living from it in this expensive area. And let me tell you, $$$ is no object, either. My next step may be to approach Stanford and beg for some kind of access (if you see something called Aztec Stadium on their campus sometime in the future, you’ll know I donated a lil’ something to the sports program to get attention).
Yo Paulo, have I seen you bust others for grammar, spelling, and maybe even punctuation? Edit now, and maybe I’ll edit your quote above later…
If you’re a poor swimmer, large paddles aren’t going to be all that beneficial. Go with the smallest ones of whatever brand you’re using. Use them for no more than 10-15% of your daily yardage.
As mentioned above, paddles won’t benefit you that much at this point. I’d recommend doing pretty much the opposite.
Work on doing at least a few hundred yards with closed fists toward the beginning of your workouts. Get a feel for how your body moves through the water without much propulsion from your hands and then see how it feels when you swim with your hands open. The difference should be immediately noticeable and should help you notice what’s causing the “up and down” motion.
Oh, and like Paulo said, swim more often. And, with a coach.
With shoulder problems you have no business using paddles.
As a weak swimmer you have no business using anything near a large in size. I am not sure what brand you use but when I used paddles I used red medium size paddles and they worked me plenty hard. I currently have tear in my shoulder and my paddles have not left my bag since I was injured. The fact that you pull slower and you don’t swim faster also tells me you are using a paddle that is far to large.
My advice - loose the paddles until you figure out whats going on with your shoulders. If you still want to use them use nothing bigger than a size medium depending on how big you are.
This is not what you asked but I promise it will make you a better swimmer than using paddles. **“I don’t look at the clock all that much, with or without paddles.” **You have to keep every single interval on the clock to know what you are doing. You have to keep every rest period on the clock to make it an honest effort. 10 seconds rest does not mean 25. Being a dweeb I wear the index finger stopwatch counter thingie (technical term). Lane clocks work too but they bug me for some reason. Keep your time interval times and you will start pushing harder.
This is not what you asked but I promise it will make you a better swimmer than using paddles. **“I don’t look at the clock all that much, with or without paddles.” **You have to keep every single interval on the clock to know what you are doing. You have to keep every rest period on the clock to make it an honest effort. 10 seconds rest does not mean 25. Being a dweeb I wear the index finger stopwatch counter thingie (technical term). Lane clocks work too but they bug me for some reason. Keep your time interval times and you will start pushing harder.
I should have said that I don’t need to look much - I come in and leave right on time. I usually am within a second or two of the time I think I swam.
To previous posters… Smaller paddles are in the plan for sure. And I do some fist drill as well (I like it - not a struggle at all).
have you tried looking at swim clubs through USS? I know the Bay Area is expensive (lived there for 34 years before escaping) however I can’t imaging there is not a masters or other program that can help you improve and that has lessons/video, etc. on the side. Or you could just build your own lap pool and import a private coach…
And what’s wrong with “basic instruction?” At your speed it sounds like all you need is basics first - based on your posts you don’t appear to have good basic balance in the water yet.
my wife is a swim/tri coach and we’re up in the Roseville area. Since $$$ are no object she could design a specific program just for you at very special Bay Area rates then you could be a better swimmer and put our little one through college
So let me get this straight. You’ve got shoulder issues, and you’re playing around with paddles. ARE YOU A TOTAL IDIOT OR ARE YOU JUST PLAYING ONE ON THOSE INTRAWEBS?
Having said that, my guess would be that you’re not getting much of a speed gain from them at this time because you don’t have the arm/shoulder strength to really muscle through the pull with them. If the arm strength isn’t there, then you end up pulling far slower than you do without the toys, and it does make a difference.
Lets see if he listens- I said basically the same thing- well except I did not call him and idiot.
Listens to what?
My shoulder issues were semi-unrelated (from previous injuries and abuse from other sports, and then a stroke error – massive over-rotation and way too early of a pull – that I have since mostly changed). Knock wood, my physical therapy and continued upkeep using stretch cords has worked. I used to have to ice post-swim, now rarely do. Again, knock wood!
Paddles do not seem to bother them. But then I have only used them conservatively (I may not listen, but some choose not to read details), which is my case has NEVER been more than 400y total in a 3000+y workout. And never “hard”, but rather mostly as a drill – as I’ve seen several on this forum suggest.
I should have said that I don’t need to look much - I come in and leave right on time. **I usually am within a second or two of the time I think I swam. **
There’s your problem. Think faster intervals.
